Local news translated - Feb. 7, 2025 (Page 2)

Host Nation Update, Feb. 7, 2025

Weather in Baden-Württemberg - Slippery nights and more sunshine at the weekend

It is expected to be slippery at first during the night. But during the day, people in Baden-Württemberg can look forward to more sunshine. After slippery conditions and fog during the night, people in Baden-Württemberg can expect more sunshine during the day at the weekend. According to the German Weather Service (DWD), it should be a maximum of 0 to 8 degrees until Sunday. (SN, Feb 6)

Stuttgart Airport - New direct connection - Flights to Dublin and Malta
Stuttgart Airport is getting another flight connection. After announcing a new direct flight to Dublin in mid-January, the airport has now announced on Instagram that Eurowings will be flying to Malta twice a week from June 8, 2025.

There will be flights from Stuttgart to the Mediterranean island and back on Sundays and Tuesdays. If you want to go to Malta, you have to get up early, as the plane leaves at 6.25 a.m. on Sundays and 6.30 a.m. on Tuesdays. You can sleep a little longer on the journey home. Departures are at 9.35 a.m. on Sundays and 9.45 a.m. on Tuesdays.

The price for a one-way flight starts at 79.99 euros in June, August and September. The most expensive months are July (from 99.99 euros) and October (from 119.99 euros). However, a look at the Eurowings website shows that most flights are significantly more expensive and are in the three-digit range.

If you want to get to the Mediterranean island before June 8, you have two options: there are direct connections to Malta from both Munich and Frankfurt.
Malta is not only popular with beach vacationers, but also with fans of “Game of Thrones”. This is because large parts of the first season of the cult series were filmed here. The island was also used as a filming location for Gladiator, Troy, Munich, By the Sea, WWZ and Assassin's Creed. (SN, Feb 7, 25)

Porsche invests in combust engines again

Porsche is expecting increased expenditure of up to 800 million Euros this year. The Executive Board and the Supervisory Board of the Stuttgart-based sports car manufacturer have agreed on “extensive measures” that are likely to impact the operating result by this amount, the company announced. Among other things, Porsche intends to expand its product portfolio. Specifically, the Group announced additional vehicle models with combustion engines and plug-in hybrids.

At the end of October, the now dismissed CFO Lutz Meschke had already said that the weak demand for E-cars would lead to adjustments in their product strategy. At that time, it was announced that models that were initially only to be launched on the market as purely electric vehicles would now also be offered as plug-in hybrids. And that the Group wanted to sell combustion vehicles for much longer. Porsche is now going one step further and wants to invest in combustion vehicles again. In addition to vehicle development, the company will also spend money on battery activities. Last year, Porsche sold three percent fewer cars. In the Chinese market, which is so important for car manufacturers, the drop was as much as 28 percent.

A few days ago, the Supervisory Board decided to dismiss both the CFO and Porsche Vice President Lutz Meschke and the Head of Sales Detlev von Platen at short notice. Despite the planned measures, the Management Board and Supervisory Board decided to keep the dividend stable. Subject to the final approval of the Supervisory Board, a dividend at approximately the same level as the previous year will be proposed to the Annual General Meeting. Porsche had paid 2.31 euros per preference share for 2023. (SN, Feb 7, 2025)

What's going on at the weekend in Leonberg and the surrounding area
If you're not so keen on the horse market in Leonberg - you're in for a bad time at the weekend and until Tuesday. But there are alternatives elsewhere. In Weil der Stadt, for example, there are two carnival events on Saturday: The carnival mass in the Catholic town church takes place from 6.30 to 7.30 pm. And the majority of visitors are likely to make the pilgrimage straight from there to the AHA guild ball, which starts at 8.11 pm to the Weil der Städter Stadthalle. This will also mark the start of the Weiler Fasnet.

And while we're on the subject of Fasching: In Hemmingen, the town hall will be stormed on Saturday by the “Narren” or Jesters. The Strohgäunarren get to work at 10.33 a.m. According to the announcement, “all Hemmingen citizens, friends and patrons” are invited to actively help with the action.

A more serious topic – Blood donation request will take place on Friday at the Alte Strickfabrik in Weissach: From 2.30 p.m. to 7.30 p.m. you can be “tapped” there. However, an appointment must be made in advance. This can be done online at www.drk-blutspende.de. Another event will take place in Weissach: the third Winterzauber will be held there on Saturday from 3 pm at the Vorbergblickhütte. The fruit and gardening association will be providing refreshments, with sausages, chips, mulled wine, punch and cold drinks. If you like, you can bring your own cup. (SN, Feb 7)

Parking in Böblingen to become more expensive

Tinkering with parking fees is a tricky business. After all, the most diverse interests have to be reconciled. An overview:
Reason for the adjustment Parking is a loss-making business for the city and the municipal utilities that take care of it. The shortfall currently amounts to just over one million euros. If the planned increase goes ahead, the deficit is expected to fall to 510,000 euros. Affected areas The new tariffs affect the municipal parking garages and public on-street parking areas close to the city center. Berliner Platz, Silberweg and Flugfeld, for example, are not included, nor are private parking garages.

The “pretzel tariff” will rise from ten cents to 50 cents for the first 30 minutes. Previously, it cost ten cents more every three minutes thereafter. With the new tariff, every additional quarter of an hour or part thereof will cost 50 cents. The cost of parking for one hour will therefore increase from 1.10 euros to 1.50 euros.

Parking prices at the parking garages The first hour is to be free of charge in future, previously this only applied to the first half hour. The city council hopes that this will direct parking search traffic directly to the parking garage and make better use of the parking garages. After the first hour, each additional hour will cost 1.50 euros, compared to one euro previously. The late evening or dinner tariff from 6 p.m. to 11 p.m. will remain at one euro, while the night tariff will rise from 2.50 Euros to 4 Euros.

Currently, a parking ticket must be purchased from Monday to Friday between 8 am and 6 pm and on Saturdays between 8 am and 2 pm.

The car may be parked for a maximum of two hours. In future, a maximum parking time of one hour will apply on the Schlossbergring and 90 minutes outside the Schlossbergring. The paid parking period will be extended until 10 p.m. on Mondays to Saturdays. “We have noticed that the parking garages become empty and the streets full shortly before 6 p.m.,” says Azeem Raja from the Office for Urban Development, explaining the move.

According to Raja, an hour's parking costs 80 cents in neighboring Sindelfingen and 5.50 euros in Stuttgart. With the new tariff, Böblingen would be on a par with cities such as Heilbronn or Göppingen. (SN, Feb 7)

Local news translated – Feb. 7, 2025

Local Baden-Württemberg news translated and summarized as a courtesy by USAG Stuttgart Public Affairs staff. Read More

Health Clinic’s Patient & Family Partnership Council holds first meeting

Community members and U.S. Army Health Clinic Stuttgart leaders gathered recently for the inaugural meeting of the Patient and Family Partnership Council (PFPC) to discuss a variety of healthcare matters. The meeting aimed to gain feedback and input from patients, family members, and clinic staff to improve and enhance the clinic experience.Read More

How to celebrate Valentine’s Day in Germany

Just because you’re far from home doesn’t mean you have to go without this year. Here are a few on-post Valentine’s Day celebrations to take part in this year.Read More

January issue of the Stuttgart Citizen now available

The newest issue of The Stuttgart Citizen is now available.Read More

USAG Stuttgart concludes exercise and returns to normal operations

USAG Stuttgart will soon conduct a force protection exercise that may impact services and cause delays at installation gates. Follow garrison platforms, including the Citizen, for updates, and observe strict operations security.Read More

Report on-the-job injuries as soon as possible

Remember to report on-the-job injuries to your supervisor and your safety office as soon as possible. Effective mishap reporting allows employers to take immediate action and implement preventive measures to mitigate risks. When mishaps go unreported, they can escalate into more significant issues, potentially causing more harm to individuals and property.Read More

Christmas tree collection points on-post and off

On-post residents may drop off used Christmas trees at designated locations on each residential installation through Jan. 31. Off-post residents must use off-post collection sites, most of which close earlier.Read More

Blood drive seeks donors Feb. 3-4 at Kelley Barracks

The Armed Services Blood Program (ASBP) is hosting a blood drive at the Kelley Fitness Center Feb. 3-4. The event is everyone with base access, and appointments are highly encouraged. Only limited walk-in slots will be available.Read More

Stuttgart Elementary School students from Panzer Kaserne conduct a science experiment at Netze BW Wasser's Münster Wasserwerks water treatment facility and teaching museum in Stuttgart. Photo by Margarita Cambest, USAG Stuttgart Public Affairs

Stuttgart Elementary School marks first field trips to Netze BW

Stuttgart Elementary School students from Panzer Kaserne toured Netze BW Wasser’s Münster Wasserwerks water treatment facility and teaching museum in Stuttgart. The trip is a regular occurrence for students in German schools but a first for military affiliated school children from USAG Stuttgart.Read More

Local news translated – Jan. 8, 2025

Local Baden-Württemberg news translated and summarized as a courtesy by USAG Stuttgart Public Affairs staff. Read More

Holiday service changes around USAG Stuttgart; Dec. 24 now federal holiday

Follow holiday-related service closures and adjustments in the Stuttgart community over the Christmas and New Year period.
*NEW* Dec. 24, 2024, has been declared a federal holiday by presidential executive order. Please expect changes to service operating hours accordingly.Read More

2024 holiday postal mailing dates and Saturday hours

Information on Saturday hours at garrison postal facilities, recommended mailing dates, and appointments for the 2024 holiday season.Read More

DES to escort Santa and friends around post Dec. 20

The Directorate of Emergency Services will escort Santa from post to post on Friday, Dec. 20.Read More

RSO announces holiday religious services

The USAG Stuttgart Religious Support Office has announced its schedule for 2024 holiday chapel services, offering opportunities for worship throughout the Christmas and New Year seasons. For more information, please contact the RSO.Read More

“Matilda the Musical” now playing at Stuttgart Theatre Center

Lovers of Roald Dahl’s “Matilda” don’t have to go all the way to London to experience the musical version of the beloved children’s book: “Matilda the Musical” is now playing through Dec. 22 at the Stuttgart Theatre Center on Kelley Barracks.Read More

Gas Prices

14 March 2025

Germany
Fuel Type	Per Gallon	Per Liter	+/-
Super E10	$3.499	$.0924	-
Super	$4.070	$1.075	-
Super Plus	$4.435	$1.172	-
Diesel	$4.012	$1.060	-

Currency Exchange Rates

14 Mar 2025

One Dollar buys:

Euro: € 0.8991

Pound: £ 0.7575

Other currency rates, not available at the Community Bank:

Czech Krone:	Kč 23.17
Egyptian Pound:	E£ 50.60
Hungarian Forint:	Hf 369.54
Israeli Shekel:	₪ 3.65
Polish Zloty:	zł 3.87
Turkish Lira:	₵ 36.5730

Rates provided courtesy Community Bank

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Local news translated - Feb. 7, 2025 (Page 2)

Host Nation Update, Feb. 7, 2025